Multielement laterally movable lifting apparatus



United States Patent Robert W. Yarbrough, Jr.

[72] Inventor Louisville, Mississippi [21] AppLNo. 794,552 [22] Filed .Ian.28, 1969 [45] Patented Dec.8, 1970 [73] Assignee Taylor Machine Works 'LouisvillmMisslssippi a corporation of Mississippi [54] MULTl-ELEMENT LATERALLY MOVABLE LIFTING APPARATUS v 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 214/731, 214/730 [51] lnt.Cl B66f9/14 [50] FleldofSearch 214/730, 731, 655 650-653; 254/(lnquired) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,985,328 5/1961 Fitch 214/731 3,166,207 1/1965 Quay1e.... 214/653 3,416,685 12/1968 A1imanestianu.... 2l4/731X 2/1970 Ahrens 214/652X Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Raymond B. Johnson Attorney-John R. Walker, 111 7 ABSTRACT: Apparatus for handling pipe or conduit sections, concrete blocks or the like or for handling long flexible sheet objects or the like. The apparatus preferably is in the form of a prong attachment for attaching to the lift carriage of an industrial forklift truck. The apparatus preferably includes a left and right series of load engaging prongs arranged generally horizontally coplanar and symmetrically on opposite left and right sides of the lift truck vehicle centerline. The apparatus includes progressional movement lazy tong type linkage means operably interconnecting the load engaging prongs of the left and right series of prongs for convergingly divergingly adjustably moving the prongs toward and away from the centerline of the lift truck thereby changing the incremental spacing between the lift prongs while maintaining uniform equal incremental spacing between each adjacent two prongs of the left and right series of prongs. The lift carriage apparatus is particularly useful for handling a gang or batch of apertured load objects arranged in stacks of load objects. The incremental spacing between the series of prong projections of the multiprong lifting apparatus may be adjusted to correspond with the spacing between the apertured load objects of a stack of load objects. The multiplicity of prong projections may be simultaneously inserted in the apertures of the load objects for handling or manipulating simultaneously a batch or series of load objects.

PATENTED DEC SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR.

ROBERT w YARBROUGH, JR. BY a 4 x75 PATENTEU DEC 8 I970 SHEET 2 BF 4 INVEN'I'OR. ROBERT w. YARBROUGH, JR. BY 9% 164/ ay: I

PATENTED DEC 8 mm SHEET 3 0F 4 mm jg hm mlvla PATENTEU DEC 8 I970 SHEET 0F 4 fiw 0 an chm win

INVENTOR. ROBERT w. YARBROUGH, JR. By /a Zu zz:

1 mm M nhm MULTI-ELEMENT LATERALLY MOVABLE LIFTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to material handling apparatus generally and particularly relates to multiprong or multilift element apparatus adapted for simultaneously lifting and manipulating a multiplicity of load objects. 2. Description of the Prior Art Apparently the prior art does not show design or construction of a multiprong lifting apparatus having means for simultaneously adjusting uniformly the incremental spacing between adjacent two prongs of the multiplicity of prongs. The art with which I am familiar mainly concerns means for laterally adjusting the tines or prongs of a typical two prong lift truck: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,483,745 and 2,748,966 illustrate respectively means for laterally adjusting or changing the spacing between a pair of prongs. The mechanical movement problems involved in designing prong adjustment means in a multiprong lift apparatus is very different from the mechanical movement problems involved in designing prong adjustment means in a dual prong lift apparatus. Moreover, the general concept of providing means affording uniform incremental spacings between left and right series of prong means and converging diverging movement of the prong means toward and away from the center axis of a lift vehicle is believed to be a unique concept.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The multielement lifting apparatus includes a left and a right series of horizontally alined load engaging elements arranged respectively symmetrically on opposite sides of a vertical lift axis or center line of a vertical lift carriage means. A

left and right series of horizontally alined load engaging elements are convergingly divergingly shiftable toward and away from the lifting axis thereby. affording a balanced load carry of a batch of horizontally arrayed load objects. Left and right progressional movement linkage means operatively connected respectively to the left and'right series of load engaging elements provide progressional movement means for simultaneously moving the left and right series of load engaging elements toward and away from the lifting axis of the lifting apparatus while maintaining uniform incremental spacing respectively between the multiplicity of load engaging elements. The incremental spacing respectively between adjacent two load engaging elements of the multiplicity of elements is quickly and easily adjusted for handling different load objects or for handling the same load objects stacked or arranged in tiers of load objects having different incremental spacing between the objects of each tier of objects or having apertures at different horizontal incremental spacings.

L BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of the multielement lifting apparatus of the present invention shown operably mounted on a typical industrial type lift truck.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the lifting apparatus and lift truck of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical plane sectional view of the lifting apparatus taken as on the line III-III of FIG. 2 and shows schematically the hydraulic power means for diverging converging V actuation of the load object engaging lift prongs.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the left side only of the lifting apparatus illustrating the progressional inward outward movement of the series of load engaging prongs.

FIG. 5 is a view of the left side. of the lifting apparatus illustrating the left prongs in partially contracted dispositions.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal plane sectional view taken as on the line Vl-VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical plane sectional view taken as on the line VII-Vll ofFlG. 5. l

FIG. 8 is a vertical plane sectional view taken as on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a backside view of a section of the lifting apparatus generally as viewed from the right of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a vertical plane sectional view taken as on the line XX of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the invention is indicated by numeral 11 and is adapted to be incorporated in an industrial type lift truck 13. The preferred embodiment of the invention is adapted to be mounted on the vertically liftable horizontally shiftable carriage 15 of lift truck 13. The preferred embodiment preferably includes a multiplicity of load engaging lift elements or prongs projecting forwardly of lift truck 13.

Embodiment 11 includes a generally rectangular frame 17 including left, right and medial frame portions 19, 21, 23; a left series of support members 25a, 25b, 25c arranged respectively on left section 19 of frame 17; a right series of support members 25'a, 25'b, 25c arranged respectively on right section 21 of frame 17; left guide rail means including guide rail member 27 operably supporting left series of support members 25a, 25b, 250; right guide rail means including right guide rail member 29 operably supporting respectively right series of support members 25 'a, 25'b, 25c; left progressional movement linkage means including V-arranged links 31a and crossed links 33b, 33c operably connected respectively to support members 25'a, 25'b, 25c; load engaging means including a stationary load engaging prong 35 and left and right series of movably load engaging prongs 37a, 37b, 37c and 37'11, 37'b, 37'c arranged respectively on opposite sides of prong 35; and actuating means including left and right ram means 39, 39' operative for expanding or contracting left and right series of load engagingprongs 37a, 37b, 37c, 37'a, 37'b, 37's toward and away from stationary prong 35 supported on frame medial section 23.

Frame 17 preferably is generally in the form of a transversely elongated rectangle arranged vertically and with a generally planar horizontally directed front face or area 41 facing forwardly of lift truck carriage 15. Frame 17 generally is of openwork construction and includes raillike parallel arranged upper and lower horizontal members 43, 45 and plate like left, right and medial members 47, 47', 49 rigidly interconnecting respectively the left, right and medial portions of upper and lower horizontal members 43, 45. Left and right end members 47, 47 are parallel arranged and fixedly secured abuttingly on opposite end portions of horizontal members 43, 45. Platelike medial member 49 faces fore and aft and is fixedly secured bridgingly between upper and lower raillike horizontal members 43, 45 (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

Although not specifically a part of this invention, the means for mounting frame 17 on lift truck carriage 15 preferably is by means of the following structure: Lift truck carriage 15 preferably includes a pair of horizontal vertically spaced apart raillike members 53, 55 adapted to shiftably support frame 17. Means shiftably mounting frame 17 on carriage 15 may include paired rollers 57, 59 fixedly journaled from upper horizontal frame member 43 by bracket means 61, 63 and includes roller means 65 fixedly journaled from lower frame member 45 by bolt means 67. Paired rollers 57, 59 provide respectively horizontal and vertical thrust roller means runningly engaging respectively opposite end portions of carriage rail 53. Lower roller means 65 (two roller means being shown in FIG. 3) runningly engage backside surfaces respec tively of opposite end portions of lower carriage rail 45. Selectively operative hydraulic ram means (not shown) interconnect carriage 15 and frame 17 for shiftably moving frame 17 horizontally relative to the carriage and for shiftably moving load engaging prong elements 35, 37a, 37b, 37c, 37'a, 37'b. 37c horizontally laterally relative to the longitudinal centerline oflift truck 13.

Guide rail members 27, 29 supporting respectively right and left series of support members 25a, 25b, 25c, 25'a, 25'b, 25c extend horizontally oppositely from frame medial member 49 and constitute also rigid supporting structure of the frame.

Horizontal guide rails 27 29 are mutually offset vertically with the respective inward end portions being supported on triangular brackets 69 71 (see FIG. 5) fixedly secured on the forward outward surface of medial member 49 of frame 17. The oppositely arranged outward end portions respectively of guide rail members 27, 29 extend through left and right end members 47, 47' and reinforcing plates 73, 73' fixedly secured on the outside surfaces respectively of end plate members 47 47'.

Sleeve bearings 75a,,75b, 75c, 75 'a, 75 'b, 75'c fitted respectively crosswise in support members 25a, 25b, 25c, 25'a, 25b, 25'c and slidably r ece ived respectively on left and right rail members 27, 29 provide means for translational displacement respectively of the left and right series of support members toward and away from frame medial section 23. Circular interior and exterior coacting surfaces respectively of sleeve bearings 75a, 75b, 75c, 75a,'75b, 75 c and guide rail members 27, 29 permit rotationalmovement respectively of support members 25a, 25b, 25b, 25'a, 25b, 25'c or slight upward canting movement of prong members 37a, 37b, 37c, 37a, 37'b, 37'c, as for example when one or more of the load engaging prongs rests on the ground or a supporting surface. Each prong-support member assembly (as for example, 37a, 25aforms a rigid right angular assembly which is fulcrumed through downward pivotal movementof the assembly against the forwardly facing surface 77 of lower frame rnember 45;

the weight of the prong portion of each prong-support member assembly 37a, 25a urges the backside surface of the support member 25a aga I the forward surface 77 of lower frame member 45. Translational horizontal movement of each respective prong-support member assembly 370, 2511 causes the backside lower end portion of the respective support member 25a to slide against the forward face surface 77 of frame member 45.

Right guide rail member 29 is longer than guide rail member 27 and in addition to providing support means for right series of supporting members25'a, 25'b, 25'c also provides support means for a basic or stationary support member 79 supporting basic or stationary prong 35 (see FIG. 5). Although defined as being stationary, prong-support member assembly 79, 35 preferably is slightly adjustable laterally leftward or rightward relative to the longitudinal centerline of lift truck carriage 15. A sleeve bearing 81 is crosswise fitted in support member 79 and supported on the inward end portion of right guide rail 29; the sleeve bearing mounting of transverse member 79 permits limited left or right adjustable movement of stationary prong 35 and permits limited upand down pivotal movement of the prong about guide rail member 29.

Left progressional movement linkage means, indicated by numeral 83, is operative for simultaneously moving left series of load engaging prongs 37a, 37b, 37c toward and away from stationary prong 35 thereby causing a decrease or increase in the incremental spacing between each adjacent two left prbngs 37a, 37b, 370 while maintaining equal incremental spacing between each adjacent two prongs. The progressional movement linkage meansof left series of prongs 37a, 37b, 370 in addition to paired link members 31a, 33b, 33c additionally includes thrust means for causing translational horizontal thrusting action onprong-bea ring support members 25a, 25b, 250; left series of support members 25a, 25b, 250 each includes structure defining a backwardly opening U-sectioned channel 85a, 85b, 85c adapted to runningly receive paired rollers 87a, 87b, 87c journaled respectively on paired links 31a,

member 25b. In like manner, rollers 87c, 87c are journaled respectively on the distal end portions of major projections 91c, 910 of link pair 33c. Scissorlike vertical movement of link pairs 33b, 330 respectively about pivot pin means 89b, 890 causes translational movement of support members 25b, 25c along left guide rail 27. Paired pivot pins 93 93a, 93a fitted on the distal end portions of minor projections 95b, 95b of link pair 33b and secured respectively on the intermediate portion of V-arranged links 31a, 31a relays movement from link pair 31a to link pair 33b. In like manner, pivot pins 93b, 93b fitted on the distal end portions of minor projections 95c, 95c relays movement from crossed link pair 33b to crossed link pair 33c. Converging movement of V-arranged-link pair 310, operative through crossed links 33b, 330 causes progressively increasing outward movement of support members 25a, 25b, 25c with outward support member 250 moving further and faster than inward members 25b and 25a. The progressively increasing movement corresponds generally with the mechanical movement ofthe familiar crossed link lazy tong mechanism. The crossed link type mechanical linkage means of the apparatus permits prong-bearing support members 25a, 25b, 250 to be moved inwardly or outwardly relative to frame medial section 23 while maintaining substantially equal incremental spacing between the respective support members and load bearing prongs.

Right progressional movement linkage means is indicated by numeral 97 and is substantially the same in form and function as the above described left progressional movement linkage means 83, the principal distinction being that right progressional movement linkage means 97 operates in a direction contrary to linkage means 83. Thus, the above description of left linkage means 83 will suffice also as a description of right linkage means 97.

Hydraulic ram members 39, 39' are arranged in vertically spaced apart disposition adjacent the backside of frame medial member 49 and function respectively for convergingly divergingly actuating left and right series of load engaging prongs 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37'a, 37b, 37'c. Base end 99 of ram 39 is supported on a right angular protrusion 10] of upright frame medial member 49 by pin means 103 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The plunger end of ram 39 is supported on a pin projection 105 formed substantially of an extension of pivot pin 89b of crossed links 33b. Extending-retracting movement of plunger 107 of double-acting ram 39 is operative through cross link pivot means 89b for causing expanded or contracted movement toward and away from frame medial member 49. Ram 39, operative for actuating the right series of load engaging prongs is arranged subjacently of ram 39. The base end of ram 39' is supported on a pin 103' fixed on a protrusion 101 of frame medial member 49. The distal end of ram plunger 107' is pivotally mounted on a pin projection (not shown) projecting rearwardly and forming substantially an extension of crossed link pivot pin means 89'b of link pair-33b. Hydraulic fluid supply means 109 connected through conduit means 111, 113 and valve means 115 provide selectively operative hydraulic flow means for energizing rams 39, 39' (see FIG. 3). Although ram means 39, 39 are shown connected in parallel through conduit means 111, 113, and are shown as being controlled through a single valve means 115, it will be understood that in certain applications of the apparatus it may be desirable to have two valve means (115, 115) and suitable conduit means for causing separate orindividual actuation of the left or right series of load engaging prongs.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the apparatus as being utilized for simultaneously manipulating or positioning a multiplicity of conduit sections C: Considering that conduit sections C are arranged in vertically spaced apart horizontal tiers of conduits, the operator of lift truck 13 may maneuver the lift truck forwardly and to a position with the load engaging lift prongs being in confronting arrangement with the conduits. The operator, by actuation of valve means 11., may then aline the series of lift prongs to correspond with the openings of conduit C. After alining the prongs with the conduit openings, the

operator pilots the lift truck forwardly and actuates the lift truck carriage upwardly thereby lifting conduits C. The operator may then maneuver the lift truck and position the conduits at a desired place.

Although the invention is illustrated and described as being incorporated in a typical industrial type lifttruck, only slight modification in the disclosed structure is necessary for incorporating the multielement lifting apparatus in lifting means other than the described vehicular lift truck means: With but slight modification in the described structure, the multielement lifting apparatus may be'incorporated in tension line, crane or trolley type overhead lifting means. By utilizing sling or hook type load object engaging means in lieu of the load object engaging prong means hereinabove described, the apparatus may be utilized for lifting by sling means a multiplicity of pipe conduits or other elongated load objects. Frame 17 may be readily suspended in a horizontal balanced disposition and with the right and left'series of support members arranged horizontally. Sling means or other load object engaging means may readily be attached in a depending disposition from the right and left series of support members for readily obtaining incremental spacing between the load engaging elements while maintaining a balanced disposition or a balanced load carry. The multielement lifting apparatus of the invention may readily be fitted with suitable load engaging means and optionally fitted either on a lift truck carriage or on the tension line of an overhead lifting apparatus.

1 claim: p

'1. Multilift element lifting'apparatus for use with powered lifting means including elevatable lifting structure, said lifting apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending frame having a medial section relative to the longitudinal extension of said frame, and left and right frame sections projecting oppositely from said frame medial section, means connecting said frame on the lifting structure of said lifting means, a left and right series of parallel arranged support members arranged respectively leftward and rightward of said frame medial section, left and right guide rails means supported on said frame left and right sections guidingly constraining respectively said left and right series of support members in converging-diverging movement toward and away from said frame medial section, said left and right guide rail means guidingly constraining each support member individually in horizontal translational movement respectively toward and away from said frame medial section, left progressionalmovement linkage means for simultaneously moving said left series of support members toward and away from said frame medial section respectively for causing a decrease or increase in the incremental spacing between each adjacent two left support members while maintaining substantially equal incremental spacing between each adjacent two members of said left series of support members, right progressional movement linkagemeans for simultaneously moving said right series of support members toward and away from said frame medial section respectively for causing a decrease or increase in the incremental spacing between each adjacent two right support memberswhile maintaining substantially equal incremental spacing between each adjacent two members of said right series of support members, a left and a right series of load engaging elements operably connected respectively to said left and right series of support members, selectively operative actuating means connected respectively with said left and right progressional movement linkage means for causing convergingdiverging movement of said left and right series of support members.

2. The lifting apparatus of claim 1 which additionally includes a basic load engaging element and means stationa'rily supporting said basic load engaging element on the medial section of said frame.

3. The lifting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each progressional movement linkage means for moving a respective series of support members toward and away from said frame medial section includes a plurality of pairs of crossed links articulating] connected together in a series of airs of crossed links, eac pair of links being generally scissor Ike and including central pivot pins means and major and minor paired projections projecting in V-arrangement oppositely from said central pivot pin means, the distal end portions of said minor projections of a pair of crossed links being pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of the major projections of an adjacent pair of crossed links, and including thrust channel means supported on each support member and a plurality of pairs of thrust rollers mounted each pair of thrust rollers respectively on a pair of crossed links and journaled respectively on the distal endportions of the major extensions of each pair of crossed links, each pair of thrust rollers being runningly received in the thrust channel means of a respective support member and operative upon pivotal action of the plurality of pairs of crossed links for causing horizontal progressional movement of said left and right series of support members convergingly-divergingly relative to said frame medial section.

4. The lifting apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said frame is generally configured rectangular, arranged vertically and with a generally planar horizontally directed front, and wherein said support members of said left and right series of members each are arranged vertically, and further wherein each load engaging element of said left and right series of load engaging elements is in the form of a prong projection rigidly supported on and projecting horizontally cantilever fashion from a respective support member and defining a multiplicity of parallel spaced apart horizontal prongs defining fork means projecting horizontally outwardly from the frame front and adapted to simultaneously engage and lift a multiplicity of load objects.

5. Lifting apparatus as defined in claim 4 which additionally includes a basic load engaging prong projection and means stationarily supporting said basic prong projection on said frame with said basic prong projecting rigidly cantilever fashion from the medial section of said frame and arranged symmetrically of and between said left and right series of load engaging elements.

6. The lifting apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said actuating means for causing converging-diverging movement of said left and right series of transverse members includes left and right hydraulic ram means each being operatively inter connected between said frame and respectively a central pivot pin means of said plurality of pairs of crossed links respectively of said left and right progressional movement linkage means, and includes selectively operative hydraulic flow means for energizing said left and right hydraulic ram means.

7. Multilift element lifting apparatus for use with powered lifting means including movable lifting structure, and lifting apparatus comprising a frame means mounted on said lifting structure, a plurality of parallel load engaging elements,

means movably mounting said load engaging elements on said frame means, and means operably coupled to said load engaging elements for selectively causing a decrease or increase in the incremental spacing between each adjacent load engaging elements while maintaining substantially equal incremental spacing between each adjacent load engaging elements. 

